front disc brake conversion

K

kingskid

Member
Wanting to put frt. disc brakes on my 47 coupe. Any suggestions to which kit and master cylinder bracket to use? I still have the stock three speed trans. Any help is appreciated.
 
Check Speedway. I think they have a kit with the correct bolt pattern. Also look at Magnum Suspension as they may have a kit too.
 
They cost quite a bit of money,and you can get mixed bolt patterns. The cost of completely rebuilding the stock system is at least haslf as much. I used the front brake assembly from an early 50s F 100 pick up on my 40 and was satisfied. For as much as I drive the car.
 
On my fat fendered cars I use P&J's Power Stoppers. They come in the popular bolt patterns, don't space the wheel hub out and they stop the car. They cost a little more but second best is not for me. Check Roadster Supply, they make a 3 bolt MC for disc brakes.
 
We have used both Speedway's & ECI's F-150 rotor/big GM caliper kits. Keeps the 5 on 5-1/2" bolt pattern and does not increase the track width like many kits do. We used a manual 1" bore master.
 
ECI is a more complete kit. Has all the fittings. Be aware that the discs increase your unsprung weight and is noticeable in the ride.
 
I agree with flatjack9. I personally know the owner of ECI brakes. He was the shop foreman for many years before the previous owner retired. ECI, IMO, makes the best kit, pricewise and quality wise, plus if you have any problems you will speak to the person that has vast knowledge of their products, not just someone who is a sales person.
 
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flatjack9 said:
ECI is a more complete kit. Has all the fittings. Be aware that the discs increase your unsprung weight and is noticeable in the ride.
Click to expand...

The various disk brake types I have used on many race cars have usually weighed about HALF as much as a conventional drum brake per wheel.
Wilwood and Airheart were probably the lightest. The JFZ's were very light but only single puck on the front.

The last Wilwood 4 wheel kit I bought came with everything needed to convert an early Ford to disks including a mechanical disk parking brake system. It even had new aluminum front hubs.
The universal pedal system was really nice. It could be mounted either on the firewall or the conventional floor location. The pedal box has a mechanical front/rear brake bias adjustment also.

At the time, several years ago, the Wilwood kit was comparable in price to other complete kits.
 
I gotta agree with "Pete". I have a set of Wildwoods on the front of my tub, and they have aluminum hubs. Since it's a light car, I used the smallest setup they had and, although I've never weighed it, I'm sure it's a lot lighter than a set of Ford Lockheeds.
 
If price is not the issue, then go with the alum hubs abs calapers offered by several venders. However for a street system the speedway system offers several bolt pattersn at a reasonable cost. I use the 73/4 Ford PU master cyl, It was used on the first Ford disk brake vehicle. I've used this system on several Trucks, and it works just fine
G
 
Why not change to the more vehicle appropriate Bendix-type drum brakes? Either the Lincoln-styled ones from Boling Brothers or - if budget is a concern - a more affordable set from an early F1 or F100?
 
Pete said:
The various disk brake types I have used on many race cars have usually weighed about HALF as much as a conventional drum brake per wheel.
Wilwood and Airheart were probably the lightest. The JFZ's were very light but only single puck on the front.

The last Wilwood 4 wheel kit I bought came with everything needed to convert an early Ford to disks including a mechanical disk parking brake system. It even had new aluminum front hubs.
The universal pedal system was really nice. It could be mounted either on the firewall or the conventional floor location. The pedal box has a mechanical front/rear brake bias adjustment also.

At the time, several years ago, the Wilwood kit was comparable in price to other complete kits.
Click to expand...
There was a 2# weight penalty for the disc setup I fabbed for my F-1. (40# vs the 38# for the original drum stuff I removed). There was a 1/8" reduction in track width. And absolutely way better and more consistent stops with the disc.

I'm not a fan of Wilwood. Don't care for their engineering, customer service or leadership. I dealt with them when I was in the industry, at two or three points in my career.
 

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Kingskid, see you are talking about 47’ brakes.
For our 36’, purchased P&J disc setup through Gary / Krylon32.
No width change, fit & quality top notch.
Good Luck
 
1948F-1Pickup said:
There was a 2# weight penalty for the disc setup I fabbed for my F-1. (40# vs the 38# for the original drum stuff I removed). There was a 1/8" reduction in track width. And absolutely way better and more consistent stops with the disc.

I'm not a fan of Wilwood. Don't care for their engineering, customer service or leadership. I dealt with them when I was in the industry, at two or three points in my career.
Click to expand...
519624
 
The above picture is interesting.. it appears that you used 39?-41 hubs that had the drums on the outside, and put the disc on the back side. Is that what you did? I like the idea.. still learning the hubs.

What studs did you use?
 
Wilwood Engineering, Inc. makes no warranties whatsoever, expressed or implied, oral or written, to purchasers. There is no warranty of merchantability made to purchasers. Wilwood Engineering, Inc. further excludes any implied warranty of fitness with respect to racing and equipment, any and all inventory and service.
Phone: (805) 388-1188
Email: customerreply@wilwood.com
Founded Location: Camarillo, CA Found that was odd, but maybe no one offers warranty.
 
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